Turkington secures BTCC return

18 January 2013

Colin Turkington will return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this season after inking a deal to join the eBay Motors team.

Turkington, title winner with the West Surrey Racing-run team back in 2009 when it was running under the Team RAC banner, will form part of a three-driver line-up alongside Rob Collard and Nick Foster, who return for their fourth and third seasons with the team respectively.

The trio will be at the wheel of a new BMW 125i, which is being built up by the team to the BTCC's Next Generation Touring Car regulations.

“I'm really excited to be back in the BTCC with eBay Motors for the 2013 season,” Turkington said. “I have a long relationship with WSR and we've experienced some great success together in both the BTCC and WTCC. I am hoping to bring that success once again this year.

“Getting behind the wheel of the NGTC specification BMW will be a new challenge and I can't wait to be back on the grid at Brands Hatch on 31st March.”

Collard, who finished the 2012 season as the best-placed driver using a Super 2000-spec machine, said he was looking forward to joining forces with a driver he first partnered back in 2006 when the pair were at the wheels of WSR's MGs.

“Colin and I raced together in 2006 and his addition to the team sees us look stronger than ever,” he said. “I hope to build on last year's strong performances and will be looking to win races in the new BMW 125i M Sport.”

Team boss Dick Bennetts meanwhile said he was delight to confirm the re-signing of the former champion.

“It's really great to have Colin back on board for the 2013 BTCC season.,” he said. “With Rob, Nick and now Colin, I believe eBay Motors have a very strong driver line-up capable of challenging for Championship honours.”